Alfreton class:

This is a pretty laid back class, focusing on the health & relaxation aspects of Yang style & the energy generating Chen style Tai Chi - no-one gets a sweat on here!

We practice Chi Kung exercises & some 'Sensing hands' partner based exercises. Beginners start with the Yang 24 form, and Advanced students can learn the Chen 18 posture short form, plus there's also the occasional guided relaxation / meditation if we have time.

The class is accredited by Derbyshire Public Health to accept patients as part of their "Strictly No Falling" falls prevention program.

It is suitable for anyone looking to improve their balance, co-ordination & mobility. There is no self defence practice in this class, although occasionally I (slowly!) demonstrate the self defence use of the movements in order to help students understand the purpose & origin of the postures.

Location: The Leisure Centre is just off Church street, and has its own car park. You'll need to come into Reception & get a (free) pass to put in your car window - just tell them you're there for the Tai Chi class.

The class itself is in the Dance studio upstairs (leg-warmers are entirely optional). The lovely people on Reception will point you in the right direction & give you the code for the door upstairs.

Monday nights, 6:30-8:00pm (with an optional extension to 8:30pm) at the Daybrook Baptist Church hall (Mansfield road, next door to the old B&Q, opposite Currys & Homebase,) NG5 6AA

6:30pm - Chen style Tai Chi for Health, Fitness & Relaxation:-

This is a class focusing on most of the commonly practiced aspects of Tai Chi.

We cover Chi Kung ('energy', or breathing exercises) & foundation exercises, basic drills & the first part of the Chen Old Frame First Form (LaoJia Yilu). We even get the odd relaxation in too.

8:00pm optional extension:-

This is aimed at anyone who wants to learn the whole of the Old Frame First Form, Second Form (Fast Form), weapons forms & use, self defence applications & other drills & exercises that are less commonly practiced in typical Tai Chi classes.

Although Tai Chi is not generally an aerobic type exercise like Zumba, some aspects - like the fast form and some weapons forms - are designed to generate 'Fa Jing' power and will get you a little warm - to say the least.

On the whole though, the emphasis is on working only as hard or as little as you want.

Across the whole evening, we can cover:

Various Chi Kung exercises

Reeling Silk exercises

Push Hands (2 person) exercises and drills

Lao Jia Yilu long form

Pao Chui fast form

Applications of the different forms from a self defence perspective

Weapons - Sword, possibly Sabre & Spear - usually these are covered in separate, Sunday afternoon sessions, held every month or so.

If time permits, there might even be time for the occasional meditation!

Like the Monday night class, this is a fairly 'active' class - aimed at providing a slightly higher level of fitness than people may expect from Tai Chi, although still highlighting the importance of calm & relaxation - you won't get that in Zumba!

If anyone's interested in the self defence & weapons side of Tai Chi, I'm also very happy to stay behind for 20 minutes or so to focus on these aspects, so if you're interested, let me know.

Location - For a link to a google map of the centre's location - click here